MAFMC and ASMFC to Hold Scoping Hearings for Bluefish Allocation Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have scheduled scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Bluefish Allocation Amendment. Hearings will be held June 20 – July 16 in nine coastal states from Massachusetts to Florida. Written comments will be accepted until July 30, 2018.

NOAA Fisheries Announces the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment

April 10, 2018 – The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office:

NOAA Fisheries announces three administrative changes to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s processes in setting catch limits though the Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment:

  1. The Council may now recommend multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) limits for Mid-Atlantic fisheries, which may bring greater stability and predictability to the fishing industry;
  2. The Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plans will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; and
  3. New language clarifies the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules.

To get all the details on these management changes, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today. 

Questions? 

  • Fishing Industry Contact: Erin Wilkinson, Headquarters Office, 301-427-8561
  • Media: Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

Reminder: Electronic Reporting Requirements for Party/Charter Vessels with Mid-Atlantic Permits

Beginning Monday, March 12, 2018, all charter and party vessel operators holding a federal permit for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be required to electronically submit Vessel Trip Reports for all trips carrying passengers for hire.

Mid-Atlantic Council and ASMFC Approve Annual Specifications for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish

The Mid-Atlantic Council and the ASMFC met jointly last week in New York, NY to establish specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. 

August Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the Council's meeting on August 11-14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. 

Proposed Allowable Harvest Limits for Atlantic Bluefish Fishery for 2014

NOAA Fisheries has announced proposed specifications for the 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including an annual catch limit, total allowable landings, a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, and a recreational possession limit.  

NOAA Fisheries: All Northeast Fisheries Now Authorized for Electronic Trip Reporting

NOAA Fisheries has announced that all permitted vessels in the Northeast region are now authorized to participate in electronic trip reporting (eVTR).

NOAA Fisheries: Proposed changes to recreational accountability measures for some Mid-Atlantic fish species

NOAA has announced that it is proposing revisions to the accountability measures for the Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic bluefish, summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Public comments will be accepted on the proposed measures until October 18, 2013. 

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Public Comments on 5-Year Strategic Plan

The Council has released a draft of its 5-year strategic plan for public comment. Comments from the public will be accepted through July 19, 2013 and reviewed by the Council at its August 13-15 meeting in Wilmington, DE. Read more... 

Council Approves Omnibus Recreational Accountability Measure Amendment

At last week's meeting the Council voted on final management measures to include in the Omnibus Recreational Accountability Measure Amendment and approved the amendment to be submitted for Secretarial review. Read more...

NMFS Publishes Draft 7 Consultation on the Continued Implementation of Seven Northeast Fisheries

The Northeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service has published a draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation on the Continued Implementation of Management Measures for seven Northeast fisheries.  Download complete PDF/print version.

NOAA Fisheries MRIP Update: Results from Electronic Logbook Pilot Study Are Now Available

This week the NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) announced the completion of a pilot study that tested the feasibility of using electronic logbooks to collect landings and fishing effort data. The final project report, which provides results and recommendations for future work, is now available online at  www.countmyfish.noaa.gov. 

NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic Bluefish 2013 and 2014 Final Catch Limits Approved

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced approval of the final 2013 and 2014 catch limits for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. The Atlantic bluefish total allowable landings are 23.861 million lb for 2013 and 23.446 million lb for 2014.  The 2013 catch limits go into effect on June 6.  Click here for more information.

NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic Bluefish 2013 and 2014 Final Catch Limits Approved

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced approval of the final 2013 and 2014 catch limits for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. The Atlantic bluefish total allowable landings are 23.861 million lb for 2013 and 23.446 million lb for 2014.  The 2013 catch limits go into effect on June 6.  

Click here for more information.

Council Requests Public Input on Omnibus Recreational Amendment

Next week the Council will hold five public hearings throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to gather public input on the Draft Omnibus Recreational Accountability Measure Amendment.

Bluefish- Proposed Rule for 2013 and 2014 Commercial Quota and Recreational Harvest Limit

Feb 20, 2013
The NMFS has published a proposed rule based on the Council's recommended Recreational Harvest Limit (RHL) of 14.069 million pounds and commercial quota of 9.076 million pounds for 2013 and an RHL of 14.069 million pounds and commercial quota of 8.674 million pounds in 2014.

CFRF Offers Mid-Atlantic Fishermen Bycatch Avoidance Gear Modification Vouchers

The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is currently administering a voucher program for fishing vessel owners to obtain financial assistance to install one or both promising gear modifications onboard their vessels for use in small mesh fisheries (including squid, whiting, and scup) to avoid unwanted bycatch of winter flounder.